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Graciously compiled by Don McAlavy, Clovis Historian
Many other lawmen served Clovis, but the name Marshal was dropped in favor
of "Policeman." Some of these law officers became well known and revered.
One was Nelson Worley, the youngest policeman, to have been hired by the
City of Clovis, in 1941. The police department grew from 10 patrolmen in
1941 to 17 in 1948 and by 1982, Worley said, the department had 67
employees, which included dispatchers, file clerks and secretaries as well
as patrolmen. Police Chief Nelson Worley said in 1941 the police
department
had two police units (vehicles). Most of the patrolmen were on foot
patrol.
Worley said that at that time the police used one-way radios instead of
the
two-way radios used today.
The policemens' manner of communicating with each other was rather unique.
When the one-way radios were used, the dispatcher would signal the
patrolman
by turning on red lights in different parts of the city. The red lights
were
located on top of the Hotel Clovis, one in the 500 block of Main and one
on
top of the old Kimo Hotel then located in the 100 block of W. Grand. When
the policemen saw the light they would go to nearby telephone and call the
department to find out where they were needed. The two-way radios were put
into service in 1946, said Worley. (And by 1982 the department had 11
units.)
When Worley first came to the police department in Clovis, he said to be a
policeman "you handed the man a gun, a badge, deputized him, and put him
on
the street. In 1982 the department required all patrolmen to have a high
school diploma, to pass a background check, and to pass an oral test and
written examination. Worley said if the person is selected for the job he
had to take a seven week basic training course at the New Mexico Law
Enforcement Academy during the first year of his employment. The patrolman
is on probation for the first six months.
The department in 1982 had a continuing education program for all police
personnel. Every two months a class was given to familiarize policemen
with
any new laws. A school was also given after new decisions were made by the
New Mexsico State Supreme Court and the U. S. Supreme County to brief
personnel on changes in the law.
The laws, rules and regulations governing law enforcement have changed
tremendously, Worley said. In the 1940s, Worley said it was not uncommon
for
a person arrested to be sent to the penitentiary the following day.
By 1982 the department had changed from routine police work to
neighborhood
patroling. Neighborhood patroling is where the same officers stay in the
same district at all times. This makes it easier for the patrolman and the
neighborhood residents. "It gives the residents of the neighborhood and
the
patrolmen a chance to get acquainted and know what is normal for the
area,"
Worley said. He also stated that the starting pay for a patrolman today
(1982) is one and a half times better than it was in the 1940s.
By 1982 Worley has been in the enforcement field for more than 30 years.
Not
only did he work his way up to be Chief of Police, but won 4 elections to
become the Curry County Sheriff, in 1960, 1962, 1966, and again in 1968.
Fortunately for his friends and for Clovis, Nelson Worley is still living
here in Clovis. He has a remarkable memory.
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